Twig Catfish (Farlowella acus)

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Farlowella acus.JPG
Twig Catfish

Farlowella acus

132 Litres (35 US G.)

15.2-20.3cm (6-8 ")

sg

Freshwater

pH

6.8 - 7.6

20-23.9°C (68 -75 °F)

3-8 °d

1:2 M:F

Omnivore
Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Live Foods
Other (See article)

5-8 years

Family

Loricariidae



Additional names

Whiptail Catfish, Twig Catfish

Additional scientific names

Acestra acus, Farlowella scolopacina, Loricaria scolopacina


Sexing

A male F. acus has a broader snout with short bristles. Sometimes difficult to tell and breeding in captivity very rare.


Tank compatibility

As many suckermouth Catfish do, Farlowellas spend much time sticking to the glass, plants, or other decorations. They should not be kept with overly aggressive fish for they are relatively fragile despite their armour.


Diet

Mostly vegetable matter such as cucumbers, zucchini, squash, or blanched lettuce, supplemented with small crustaceans like ghost shrimp or brine shrimp. They should adapt well to dry foods such as sinking algae wafers.


Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day, will be most active in dimly lit tanks or when the tank light is off.


Environment specifics

Provide this fish with a well filtered and mature tank. They prefer a sand substrate with rounded river rocks and smaller pebbles. Driftwood or bogwood is mostly absent from their natural habitat but the congregate where bamboo stalks hang into the water. It is only found in cool rivers and streams with a fair amount of current.


Behaviour

A peaceful fish that is fairly inactive and unwilling to compete with other fish for food.


Identification

Has a shorter snout then Farlowella gracillis. It is a very slender fish with a pointed snout that does well to resemble a long twig! It is mottled brown in colour.

Pictures

External links